“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;”
King James Version (KJV)
4:8 We are troubled, &c. - The four articles in this verse respect inward, the four in the next outward, afflictions. In each clause the former part shows the earthen vessels; the latter, the excellence of the power. Not crushed - Not swallowed up in care and anxiety. Perplexed - What course to take, but never despairing of his power and love to carry us through.
2Co 4:8,9 In these two verses are four pairs of contrasts which should the frailty of the instruments and the greatness of the power: (1) Troubled on every side, yet not distressed. "pressed on every side" (Revised Version), but not hemmed in by the pressure. (2) Perplexed, but not in despair. In apparently overwhelming difficulties, but never reduced to despair. (3) Persecuted, but not forsaken. Persecuted by their enemies, but not forsaken and delivered over to them. (4) Cast down, but not destroyed. Overthrown and cast to the earth, but even then rescued from the enemy, standing over them prostrate, so that they are not destroyed.
Wee are troubled on euery side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despaire,
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
{we are} afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
- New American Standard Version (1995)
`we are' pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;
- American Standard Version (1901)
Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut in; things are hard for us, but we see a way out of them;
- Basic English Bible
every way afflicted, but not straitened; seeing no apparent issue, but our way not entirely shut up;
- Darby Bible
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
- Webster's Bible
We are hard pressed, yet never in absolute distress; perplexed, yet never utterly baffled;
- Weymouth Bible
We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair;
- World English Bible
In alle thingis we suffren tribulacioun, but we ben not angwischid, or annoyed; we ben maad pore, but `we lacken nothing; we suffren persecucioun,
- Wycliffe Bible
on every side being in tribulation, but not straitened; perplexed, but not in despair;
- Youngs Literal Bible